Austria eyeing more events

The Austrian Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Sport, Heinz-Christian Strache (FPÖ,) wants to continue bringing major sporting events to Vienna and Austria.

Author: Guy Oldenkotte

The minister admits that, following the 2008 European Football Championship, Austria has failed to take momentum, ‘but it is still not too late.’ The minister considers these events as perfect platforms to stimulate sports participation within the population.

He now hopes to benefit from the new concept for the upcoming European Championship as well as the likelihood of hosting UEFA finals.

‘All large events are in our interest, but they would have to be accompanied by infrastructure measures and public participation,’ he said.

Martin Kallen, CEO of UEFA Events and 2008 Managing Director of the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland, said that Austria could stand another change of hosting an event in the future. ‘2008 was a very nice event,’ said the Swiss. With infrastructure such as hotels, transport infrastructure and some stadiums in place already, he has no doubt that ‘Austria can and should organize large events in the future’.

Strache also recalled the economic importance of sport, which contributed 2.67 percent to gross domestic product in the EU.